Anthropometric Parameters for Height Estimation in Egyptian Elderly Males

Abstract

Background: Aging as a natural physiological process is accompanied with nutritional and metabolic changes that is reflected by the anthropometric indices furthermore loss of muscular and fat masses rises. elderly individuals it is complex, and sometimes impossible, to measure standing height precisely because of standing straight difficulties arising from underlying mobility issues Anthropometric indices and measuring formulas are greatly trustworthy when compared with more sophisticated methodologies such as hydro densitometry, electronic bio impedance. Aim: To assess which one of the three anthropometric measures (demi-span, ulna length and knee height) is the most accurate for height estimation in Egyptian elderly males, and to provide a nationally representative regression equation for stature prediction that could be applied to Egyptian elderly males. Methodology: A cross sectional research study was conducted to estimate height in community dwelling Egyptian ambulant elderly males. The study sample consisted of 226 community dwelling elderly males. Results: The model for using knee height to estimate standing height of Egyptian elderly males [Height = 57.345 + 2.131 (Knee height in cm)], was found to be statistically significant reflecting 63.3% of standing height changes. [Table (5)] Besides there was strong statistically significant positive correlation between measured standing heights and study predicted standing heights (P value < 0.001). [Table (6)] Finally it was revealed and displayed that by using the study equation, there is no statistically significant difference between measured and predicted heights. Conclusions: In the current research study, knee height was found to be more accurate than demi-span and ulna length for estimating height of Egyptian elderly males.